Monrovia—The Government of Liberia, under the Boakai-Koung administration, is set to unveil a significant national development initiative today in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
By: Jaheim Tumu, [email protected]
The initiative, titled the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), is a comprehensive five-year plan with a budget of US$8.4 billion aimed at promoting economic growth and reducing inequality across the country.
Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine K. Ngafuan announced that the plan, along with the County Development Agendas (CDA), will be officially launched on January 15, 2025.
The government formally adopted the AAID and the CDAs on December 3, 2024, marking a crucial advancement in Liberia’s development strategy, which began its planning phase in April of the previous year.
The development of the ARREST Agenda involved extensive consultations with both international and national stakeholders, including citizens from all 15 counties of Liberia.
A dedicated intergovernmental technical team was responsible for conducting these consultations, working alongside independent experts to ensure a thorough and inclusive planning process.
Minister Ngafuan emphasized that the AAID aims to serve as a strategic blueprint for Liberia’s future, focusing on fostering inclusive growth while addressing critical infrastructure and economic empowerment needs across all counties.
“We’ve crafted not just a national plan but also 15 county development agendas,” he stated, highlighting the initiative’s holistic approach to regional development.
The plan outlines six strategic pillars, including economic transformation, infrastructure development, rule of law, governance and anti-corruption, environmental sustainability, and human capital development.
Minister Ngafuan noted that local consultations would allow communities to influence their development priorities directly.
“Every county now has its own development agenda, ensuring that our initiatives reflect the needs and desires of the people,” he added.
The minister called for unity among Liberians in implementing the plan, stressing the importance of prioritizing national growth over political divisions.
“Let’s focus on narratives that foster unity and progress, and let’s celebrate our achievements as we work towards a better Liberia for all,” he urged.
